Bent arm signal for golfers



Oct. 8, 195 7 R. E. WASLEY 2,809,042

' BENT ARM SIGNAL FOR GOLFERS Filed Dec. 20, 1954 /E/\/ TUE-7 ROY E. WAsLEY Map/m Patented Get. 8, 195? BENT ARM SIGNAL FOR GOLFERS Roy E. Wasiey, San Carlos, Qalif.

Application December 20, 1954, Serial No. 476,395

2 Claims. (Cl. 273183) This invention relates to improvements in arm signal devices for warning a golfer that he is improperly bending his arm while moving in a back swing or down swing.

It is generally known that experienced golfers maintain a straight left arm while performing their back swing and down swing for wood shots and long iron shots, and it is the aim of most beginners, in an effort to perfect their swing, to attempt also to utilize a straight left arm. Although it is possible for the beginner to observe his left arm throughout a portion of his back swing, it is not possible to do so when the club approaches the top of the swing or at any time in the down swing. Furthermore, the beginner is generally unaware that he is bending his left arm, and, even though he may be aware thereof, it is not possible to tell precisely at what point the arm begins to bend.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved arm signal for golfers which is simple in structure and effective in operation, and which warns the golfer when his arm begins to bend.

It is a further object to provide a signal device for the left arm of golfers which employs improved means for emi-tting an audible sound when said arm begins to bend.

A further object is to provide a bent arm signal for golfers which does not interfere with a normal swing and permits the arm to bend quite freely when necessary.

The invention, in general, comprises a pair of elastic bands adapted to hold a signal casing in a fixed position across the inside of the elbow of a golfer. The casing houses a metal strip which normally assumes a convexconcave curvature in cross section, and upon the bending of the metal strip between its ends the strip will emit an audible sound which serves as a warning to the golfer that his arm is beginning to bend at the elbow. The invention will be better understood and additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred form of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the invention may take other forms, and that all such modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims which will occur to persons skilled in the art are included in the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a golfer with the present invention mounted on his left arm;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing in detail the structure of the casing which houses the metal strip;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view showing the device on the arm of the golfer;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the metal strip removed from the casing; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the strip in bent positlon Referring in detail to the drawings, the invention comprises a pair of bands 10 and 11, preferably of an expansible material such as elastic. Bands l0 and 11 are adapted to encircle a golfers arm 12, one band being placed just below the elbow and the other band being placed just above the elbow, as seen in Figures 1 and 4. Bands iii and 11 are each equipped with fastening means, preferably comprising a socket member 13 and a plurality of ball members 14 spaced longitudinally for adjusting the length of the bands to fit arms of different sizes. Rather than using a pair of bands to engage the golfers arm, a one-piece expansible sleeve or wrapping may be used.

Secured transversely to the two bands 10 and 11 is a casing member 15 which may be formed from cloth or other flexible material such as elastic. As best seen in Figure 3, the casing 15 has double walls 16 and 17 secured together around the ends and side edges by stitching or other suitable means, and is adapted to encase an elongated spring element 18. Spring element 18 has a convex-concave curvature in cross section, with the convex curvature on the top side. When the spring 18 is bent transversely, as shown in Figure 6, it emits a click or snap which is capable of being heard in the immediate vicinity thereof. Instead of being transversely curved throughout its length the strip 15 may be flat with a dished depression in its under side at the center of the strip.

The present device is strapped on the golfers arm 12 with the casing 15 extending along the arm and spanning the inside or crook of the elbow, as shown in Figure 4. When the arm 12 bends even slightly, the spring element 118 will not bend gradually and silently but flexes suddenly with a snap which emits an audible sound to warn the golfer that his arm is beginning to bend. Upon hearing the warning sound, the golfer knows precisely at what point in his swing he has started to bend his arm, and with a suflicient amount of practice the difliculty can be overcome.

The device does not interfere with a normal swing, and the arm can bend freely at the end of the down swing or at any other time desired. Spring element 18 is of quite thin material and offers negligible resistance to the initial bending of the elbow, and after the spring element has been bent the arm can continue to bend quite freely. When the arm is straightened the spring element resumes its original shape shown in Figure 5.

Having now described my invention and in what manner the same may be used, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A bent arm audible signal device for golfers comprising a strip of stiff, flexible spring material having a transversely concave under side at least in the mid portion of the strip, and means to secure the opposite ends of said strip to a users arm above and below the elbow with said concave mid portion overlying the crook of the elbow when the arm is held straight at the elbow, said concave portion being constructed and arranged to flatten in a transverse direction with an audible snap when said portion is bent transversely by the bending of the arm, said strip being sufficiently flexible to bend with the arm when so secured without appreciably restraining the bending of the arm.

2. A signal device as defined in claim 1 wherein said strip is transversely curved throughout its length and normally assumes a longitudinally straight position when not bent by the arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,414,012 Flint Apr. 25, 1922 

